State terminology: Certified nurse aide (CNA). Louisiana nurse aide rules ↗ · terminology checked November 5, 2026.
Sources checked November 4, 2026. Louisiana Department of Health, Health Standards Section.
How do I transfer my CNA credential to Louisiana?
Compare the reviewed application routes to see which one fits your situation. An out-of-state credential alone does not establish eligibility.
What does CNA reciprocity mean?
States use the terms reciprocity, endorsement and transfer to describe how they review nurse aide credentials from another state. Each state defines its own process, so use the term your new state uses. Approval is not automatic. The destination state decides whether your training, testing, work history and registry status meet its rules.
A nurse aide registry is an official state list used to check nurse aide status. A competency evaluation is the state-approved nurse aide exam. Its format varies by state. This guide explains the published instructions, but the agency decides whether you qualify.
How do you become a CNA in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires an LDH-approved Nurse Aide Training Program. LDH’s current program change form lists minimums of 24 classroom/theory hours, 16 lab/skills hours, 40 clinical hours and 4 orientation hours; the approved total is program-specific, so confirm it rather than treating a single number as universal.
- Prometric and LCTCS administer the Louisiana Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation. Route 1 covers new aides who completed an LDH-approved program within the last 12 months.
- Pass both the clinical skills and knowledge tests. Prometric then sends the applicant’s information to LDH for final review and registry placement.
Official training directory: LDH CNA registry and approved NATP entry points ↗
Which pathway applies to you?
Route 8 reciprocity
Active CNA in good standing in every currently held state
- Provide Social Security card and Louisiana-issued ID or military ID; Louisiana ID is waived for addresses within 30 miles of Louisiana.[1] [2]
Send Route 8 application to Prometric
Prometric verifies and forwards the file to LDH for final registry approval.[2] [6]
Official route: Mail Prometric using current Louisiana program instructions. [1] [2] Open agency instructions ↗
Recertification testing
Louisiana CNA lapsed less than 24 months
- Route 2 permits one attempt at both test portions; failure requires approved retraining.[3]
Official route: Prometric or LCTCS recertification testing. [3] Open agency instructions ↗
What if you previously held a nurse aide credential in Louisiana?
Check the existing Louisiana certification first; Route 2 is distinct from incoming reciprocity.[3]
Who sends registry verification?
Louisiana does not complete other states’ reciprocity forms; print public registry verification. Obtain training certificates/transcripts from the training program.[1] [2]
What exceptions apply?
No additional exception is listed in the reviewed sources.
What else should you know?
Continuing certification requires eight qualifying work hours each 24 months; work history must come from an approved employer, not the CNA.[4]
What fees does the state publish?
What should you confirm with the agency?
- Confirm the current application route and testing procedure with the agency.
- Exact route at precisely 24 months after lapse and longer lapses needs registry confirmation.
The state decides eligibility and approval. This guide does not grant a credential.
What will the Louisiana planner ask?
- Which pathway applies to you? (Route 8 reciprocity, Recertification testing)
- Have you previously held CNA certification in Louisiana? (Yes, No, I’m not sure)
Sources
- CNA Informational Section ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Reciprocity TO/FROM Louisiana; renewal; confirm the current page with the agency.
- Louisiana Nurse Aide — Prometric ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · CNA Registry Services > Reciprocity Procedure
- LDH Approved CNA Certification Testing Vendors ↗
Checked November 3, 2026 · Routes 2, 3 and 8; official text reviewed.
- CNA Registry FAQ ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Questions 4–7: work, expired certification, work-history sender
- Louisiana Department of Health: Nurse Aide Training and Certification Maintenance ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Certification maintenance; 8 hours of paid work; retesting and retraining
- Prometric Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide bulletin ↗
Checked November 4, 2026 · Route 8 Reciprocity: Prometric verifies the application, then sends it to LDH for final review and registry approval; Reciprocity Application Processing Fee $35 (application form Rev. 11012025)